Compaction receptacle

Abstract

A compaction capable receptacle may include a housing with a trash receiving opening, a compaction unit arranged within the housing, and a trash bin arranged within the housing and configured for rotating trash within the bin below the compaction unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A compaction capable receptacle, comprising:
 a housing with a trash receiving opening;   a compaction unit arranged within the housing;   a trash bin arranged within the housing and configured for rotating trash within the bin below the compaction unit.   
     
     
         2 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is configured for continuous feed operation. 
     
     
         3 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the compaction unit is configured for hold down. 
     
     
         4 . The receptacle of  claim 3 , wherein the compaction unit is configured to continue receiving trash during the hold down operation. 
     
     
         5 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the compaction unit is configured for arrangement partially within the trash bin. 
     
     
         6 . The receptacle of  claim 5 , wherein the compaction unit is pivotable into and out of the trash bin. 
     
     
         7 . The receptacle of  claim 6 , wherein the compaction unit is biased in a position out of the trash bin. 
     
     
         8 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , further comprising a drive wheel configured for rotating the trash bin within the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The receptacle of  claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of guides for guiding the rotation of the trash bin within the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The receptacle of  claim 9 , wherein the compaction unit comprises a bin-accommodating housing configured for guiding the rotation of the trash bin. 
     
     
         11 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the compaction unit is arranged in substantially a back half of the trash bin. 
     
     
         12 . The receptacle of  claim 11 , wherein the trash bin is configured to rotate approximately 180 degrees to position trash below the compaction unit. 
     
     
         13 . The receptacle of  claim 12 , wherein the compaction unit is configured to hold down pressure on the trash until a front half of the trash bin needs compaction. 
     
     
         14 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , further comprising a door for removal of the trash bin. 
     
     
         15 . The receptacle of  claim 14 , wherein the door is coupled to the compaction unit and the compaction unit is biased in an upward direction such that opening the door frees the compaction unit to rotate upwardly and out of the trash bin. 
     
     
         16 . A method of receiving and compacting trash, comprising:
 receiving trash into a bin through a trash receiving opening;   guiding the trash to a front half of the bin;   rotating the trash in the front half of the bin below a compaction unit;   compacting the trash; and   simultaneously receiving additional trash into the bin.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein compacting the trash further comprises imparting a hold down force. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising interrupting the compacting when a light curtain is interrupted. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein rotating the trash comprises actuating a drive wheel to rotate the bin. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising allowing for trash access by automatically pivoting the compaction unit upon opening of a door.